Thursday's game vs ODU is as close to a playoff game as we can get. It's very simple the winner clinches the #3 seed and receives the easier path to the CUSA championship game. While the loser doesn't go home but they will have a much tougher time earning the auto bid.
UTEP has been in similar situations the past two years late in February. Both times have not gone the Miners way.
Last year on February 25 UTEP was riding a six game winning streak. With a conference record of 9-6 they travelled to Norfolk to meet this very same ODU team with huge implications. A win by UTEP and they would enter into the top four of the conference standings a loss and they slip a place into 6th. ODU (8-6) broke down the Miners beating them 74-53 and taking over the Miners fifth place in the standings. ODU went on to finish on a three way tie for third while UTEP fell to 10-8 and a sixth seed.
Two years ago on February 26 UTEP was on seven game winning streak. A half game behind the conference leader. UTEP went into Ruston (12-3) to decide who would be in 1st place. Tim Floyd was ejected, suspended and UTEP suffered another embarrassing 77-60 defeat on national television. The end result was a conference regular title for La Tech while UTEP settled for second place.
On March 2nd UTEP will put their five game winning streak on the line vs ODU. More importantly will be the #3 seed. A win and UTEP avoids the conference champs in the semis instead they possibly face off with La Tech a third time. A loss and it's more of the same for the faithful diehards.
This time the Don Haskins Center will host the big game with a healthy crowd expected. Will the Miners put on a show for El Paso or will they leave the fans with a bitter taste in their mouth?
UTEP has been in similar situations the past two years late in February. Both times have not gone the Miners way.
Last year on February 25 UTEP was riding a six game winning streak. With a conference record of 9-6 they travelled to Norfolk to meet this very same ODU team with huge implications. A win by UTEP and they would enter into the top four of the conference standings a loss and they slip a place into 6th. ODU (8-6) broke down the Miners beating them 74-53 and taking over the Miners fifth place in the standings. ODU went on to finish on a three way tie for third while UTEP fell to 10-8 and a sixth seed.
Two years ago on February 26 UTEP was on seven game winning streak. A half game behind the conference leader. UTEP went into Ruston (12-3) to decide who would be in 1st place. Tim Floyd was ejected, suspended and UTEP suffered another embarrassing 77-60 defeat on national television. The end result was a conference regular title for La Tech while UTEP settled for second place.
On March 2nd UTEP will put their five game winning streak on the line vs ODU. More importantly will be the #3 seed. A win and UTEP avoids the conference champs in the semis instead they possibly face off with La Tech a third time. A loss and it's more of the same for the faithful diehards.
This time the Don Haskins Center will host the big game with a healthy crowd expected. Will the Miners put on a show for El Paso or will they leave the fans with a bitter taste in their mouth?
